Sticky strings

[GBBSbassist]

Use string lubricants before you play and string cleaners after you're done. I wish I had done this a long time ago.

 

[Fender_Bender]

All of the stainless rounds I’ve ever tried were significantly rougher than nickels. And just about every set of new strings I’ve ever tried were somewhat tacky for a few hours. I’ve never tried the alcohol trick but I could see it working.
If you want to try something off the beaten path; get yourself a sheet of 1000 and 2000 grit sandpaper and go up and down your stainless strings with small pieces of the sandpaper wrapped around the strings. You will definitely have to wipe and clean them off after that though.

 

[Clef_de_fa]

Yeah steel can be quite hard on the finger. I hate them, just too harsh

 

[twinjet]

I've played DR Hi-Beams for years. In that time, I have run across a couple of "sticky" sets.
Spray some De-Oxit on a clean rag and wipe them down. That has usually worked when I got a set that felt "off".
Don't know if it is related or not, but there was a store I used to buy from that had "sticky" more often than not. I figured it had to be environmental, and really haven't had an issue since that store.

I have bought other DR sets from this store and don't recall this issue, but they were all nickel round sets. I will try wiping the strings down. Thanks.

 

[SLO Surfer]

I just got my first set of DR strings, Pure Blues. I haven’t played nickel strings in decades, and have been using GHS boomers mostly. The DR felt super sticky to me. Soft and malleable, but too sticky and dry at the same time, if that even makes sense. I played them 2-3 hours a day for a month to see if they’d break in and smooth out, but they never did. I couldn’t get a good dynamic response that I like, so I threw some new boomers on there and am back to what feels good to me.

Maybe it’s a DR thing, whatever oil they use, and not a nickel vs. steel thing?

 

[Maynjo]

You could always try Fast Fret. I used to use it, but I don't need it anymore. I use Dean Markley Blue Steels, and to me, they're not sticky. Never tried Hi Beams Though.

 

[Kun2112]

I have bought other DR sets from this store and don't recall this issue, but they were all nickel round sets. I will try wiping the strings down. Thanks.

Stainless Steel has a little more "grip" than nickel, so even after a cleaning, they won't have the same feel as, say, Sunbeams.
Hope a cleaning gets them where you are happy.

 

[Jrussblues]

The sticky feeling is why I play nickels over stainless.

 

[twinjet]

You could always try Fast Fret. I used to use it, but I don't need it anymore. I use Dean Markley Blue Steels, and to me, they're not sticky. Never tried Hi Beams Though.

I remember DM SR2000s being slightly grippy, but these new DRs were definitely sticky (had to wash my hands after playing). I tried and alcohol wipedown and the strings instantly felt better, but there is an undeniable grip to these strings that I hadn't considered. I've been playing nickels and flats for so long, guess I've forgotten!

 

[Nephilymbass]

Interesting, I used DR Hi beams for many years and never had that issue. Mainly switched because I really liked the nickel wounds that came on my newest purchase.

 

[jamro217]

Nickel strings in general have a silkier feel than steel. Steel strings are like steel wool, they have sharp edges at the seams between the wraps. As a softer metal, the nickels not only wear down a little quicker, but break in quicker too. Most important, nickels have a smoother tone to go along with their smoother feel. If you like bright and loud, steels will do it better. If you like retaining your fingerprints, choose nickel.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Hey gang.

Just put on a set of DR Hi-beam .45s and noticed they were extraordinarily hard to play at tonight's concert. Is this a new string thing that is part of the break-in process or is that the nature of stainless steel rounds? It felt like I had no control over my playing and I'm kind of irritated, having just taken off a usable set of EXL170s. If there's a way past that, feel free to share.

Thanks...

Yeah, some strings just take a while, others are smooth out the package, some never stop grabbing your fingers. But, what's funny is that almost every pack will be different. Not only brands and models. I personally like how smooth Elixirs are. They last forever too, and have great sparkle. Not quite as much as HiBeams, but pretty darn close. But I tried some Hatke XLs a while ago, cause I found a great deal on them, and I was not disappointed. One of the packs was, by far, the "stickiest" set of strings I've ever put on. It wore down fairly quick though, and kept its sparkle for a good time too. Like 3 or 4 months. Not bad for the 12 bucks each I paid for them. The other set didn't grab my fingers quite so much, and still lasted about the same time. So, to sum it all up, yes. It's part of the "breaking in" time. Also, every pack is different, not just brands and models. The next one might not be so bad. Then again, it could be worse.

 

[tjh]

It seems like whatever reacts more with your skin, because I play flats and found I have more of an issue with nickel flats than stainless … everybody comments on how silky smooth TI's are, and they give me the most trouble, so for OP, it may also be a case of skin reacting that way … I am generally a nose/forehead wiper if I need a little glide, but sometimes that just isn't there, so at those times I have a travel size baby powder near by to get me through the set if needed …

I can't speak to OP specific string in question, so more of a general reply in case he likes the strings, and looking for ways around sticky until they settle in ...